Washboard



(No Model.)

A. A. BOWSER. WASHBOARD.

Patented Jan. l1, 1898.

i UNITED Srnrns i @TENT einen.

ALLEN A. BOWSER, OF FORT VAYNE, INDIANA.

l.il/ASHBOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,976, dated January 11, 1898.

pplication filed February 15, 1897. Serial Nou623r498. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

. Be it known that l, ALLEN A. Bowsnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Vayne, in the countyT of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in VVashboards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to Washboards.

The object of the invention is to simplify and improve the construction of washboards and to render the saine more efficient and durable.

.The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and relative arrangement of parts, all aswill be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings and finally speciically pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure l is a front view of a Washboard constructed in accordance With the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the same on the line 2 2, Fig. l.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign in both views of the drawings.

Reference-sign A designates the side bars of the Washboardirame; B, the backboard; C, the corrugated-metal rubbing-surface, and D the splash-fender. The side bars Ak of the frame are provided with grooves E E and F F on their inner or opposing edges, as indicatedin the drawings, said groovesF F adapted to receive the edges of the splash-fender D. The metal. sheathing` forming the rubbingsurface C has a flange G at one end thereof adapted to be inserted in a kerf in one of the cross-bars of the backboard B- say, for instance, the upper cross-bar-and the other end of said sheathing is bent around the lower edge of the lower cross-bar, and the iange H of said sheathing is inserted in a kerf in said lower cross-bar. It is evident, however, that the sheathing may be secured to the baclrbeard B or the cross-bars composing the same in any other suitable, desirable, and convenient manner, and I do not desire to limit myself in this particular to the exact form shown and described. The backboard is composed of two or more disconwhen it becomes dry.

nected cross-bars, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, in order to accommodate for expansion and contraction due to the swelling oi" the Wood when Wet and the shrinking thereof The top cross-bar of the backboard B is provided with a saw kert or groove in the edge thereof adapted to receive the lower edge of the splash-fender D, as clearly indicated at J, Fig. 2. If desired, the back surface of the baclrboard B may be corrugated to form a rubbing-surface; but it is evident that such rubbing-surface may, il' desired, be dispensed with.

The several parts of the washboard are assembled by inserting the ends of the crossbars of the backhoard B in the grooves E E oi the side bars A and nailing or otherwise securing the saine therein. The splash-fender D is then introduced by sliding the same down into the grooves F F until the lower end .I thereof is received adjacent to the upper edge of the top cross-har of the backboard B or else is received in the korf formed in the upper edge of the cross-bar. The splash-fender is then nailed or otherwise secured in place. From this construction it will he seen that provision is made for expansion or con traction of the washboard, and I produce a neat and sightly-appeariug Washboard, and the splash-fender by occupying a place between the front and back edges of the side bars A is protected during'the handling and transportation of the washboard, and thus objectionable buckling is prevented. It will also be seen that buckling of the splash-fen` der and also of the metal sheathing C is prevented during the swelling and shrinking of the board while in use. Moreover, by the construction above described a ledge is formed at the upper edge of the back or base board B and at the lower end of the splash-fender on both sides of the board, thereby providing a support for the soap when the rubbing-surface on either side of the board is used.

In case the lower end of the splash-fender is inserted in the kerf in the upper edge of the top cross-bar of the backboard B, I provide the said splash-fender with the perforations L, whereby the drippings or accumulated Water may pass through and drain back into the tub. Of course it willfbe understood that the same necessity for such perforations L will not exist when the lower end of the IOO splash-fender is not inserted in such kerf, for in such case the water can pass under the end of the splash-fender. The splash-fender at the upper end thereof is bent over to conform to the shape of the ends of the side bars A and is secured thereto in any convenient Way.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, and efcient washboard of neat appearance and wherein, if desired, a metallic rubbing-surface is provided on one side with a cooperating ledge or support for the soap, and a Wooden rubbing-surface is provided on the other side; also, with a supportingledge for the soap. This is frequently a desirable arrangement for the reason that the same quality of rubbing-surface may not always be desirable for different qualities of fabrics, the fabrics of liner quality not requiring the energetic rubbing nor the hardness of rubbing-surface that is required b y fabrics of less fine quality. For this same reason the splash-fender serves its purpose when either side of the washboard is used, although, as shown in the drawings, said splashfender at the upper end is bent forwardly in a manner to overarch the metal-sheathed rubbing-surface, but when the other side of the board is used there is less energetic rubbing, and hence less danger or liability of splashing the water. By my construction and arrangement I also provide a construction wherein packing, handling, and shipping of the boards are facilitated and wherein buckling of the splash-fender or of the metal rubbing-surface, whether in the course of construction or in shipping or in use, is avoided.

While I have shown and described a specific construction and arrangement, it is obvious that many variations and changes in the details, size, proportions, and relative arrangements of parts would readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art and still fall Within the spirit and scope of 1ny invention. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact details shown and described; but, having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a form of means embodying the same, and

Having described the construction, function, and mode of operation thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In a washboard, the side barsl grooved on their opposite edges, a base-board having a rubbingsurface arranged with the ends thereof to be received in the grooves in said side bars, said side bars also provided with kerfs in the opposite edges thereof, and a splash-fender having its' edges received in said kerfs, and bent over the ends of said side bars said splash fender and base board adapted to be secured to said side bars', as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a washboard, side bars having cooperatin g grooves and kerfs in the opposite faces thereof, a base-board having a kerf in the upper edge thereof carrying the rubbing-surface, said base-boardl `made in separate sections, each section having its ends arranged in cooperating grooves in said side bars, and a splash-fender having its edges arranged in cooperating kerfs in said side bars, and having its lower end arranged in the kerf in the upper edge of said base-board; said fender extending to the ends of said bars and bent thereover as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a washboard, side bars having cooperating grooves in the opposed faces thereof, a base-board made in separate sections, each section having its ends arranged to be received inpsaid cooperating grooves in said side bars, ametallic sheathing for one side of said base-board,said sheathing forming a rubbingsurface, and a splash-fender having the edges thereof received in their cooperating grooves in said side bars; and arranged to extend to the ends of said bars and bent thereover as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a washboard, side bars having cooperatin g grooves in the opposite edges thereof, a base-board made in separate sections, each section having the ends thereof received in the cooperating grooves of said side bars, said base-board having a rubbing-surface formed on one side thereof, and a metallic sheathing, forming a rubbing-surface, applied to the other side thereof, and a splash-fender having its edges arranged in cooperating grooves in said side bars, thereby forming a ledge or support on both sides of said board; as and. for the purpose set forth.-

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of February, 1897.

ALLEN A. BOVVSER.

Witnesses:

ROBERT V. CRAGG, J. W. MINNICH.

IOO 

